“We From Petersburg, Virginia…”

For what it’s worth right now, Trey Songz may be the premiere name in mainstream male R&B. That may be a good or bad thing depending who’s asked. One thing is for certain, though: his grind has been a slow-cooked recipe for success. Kevin Liles assuming control of Trey’s career may be the best professional move for any artist in quite some time. There truly are “no ceilings” to the heights the native of Petersburg, Virginia can climb.

But it wasn’t always like that. Tremaine’s rise to stardom was slightly different than those of his rhythm and blues counterparts. His presence on the mixtape circuit with his covers, freestyles and remixes always afforded him that unspoken “credibility” in the hip-hop world many don’t receive. The fact he made it out of Petersburg- which is saying a lot- is a story in itself. During the early stages of his professional life, Songz chased the money, cars, clothes and hoes (I suppose), but also kept 10 toes down when it came to his group, The 804 Boyz.

Consisting of himself, Fynch Money Bagz, Mumeet Daddy and G.O., the quartet would go on to record a slew of songs together. Their Up South mixtape with DJ Smallz in 2006 even garnered the group a minor buzz. One track in particular, “Stackin’ My Paper,” even became a local favorite. However, due to legal trouble from other group members (Mumeet receiving years in the feds), the group was effectively placed on hold.

Getting money, smoking good and staying true to “the 804” were the foursome’s founding principles. This Scarface-inspired creation highlights those three virtues. As unbelievable as it may sound, this track (and more-so tape) was a big deal to an area that had never witnessed homegrown talent making moves on a national scene prior to this. Unfortunately, due to a list of personal problems, it never expanded beyond that.

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Damn,I did time in Petersburg on my federal tour lol…some good people who didn’t have any other choice got lost in the shuffle of that town.

By: Be

05.14.2010 @ 11:32 PM

Yes VA is not for the Black Man or Woman for that matter. This young man has a bright future if he can keep focused.

By: petey

05.15.2010 @ 12:14 AM

For what it’s worth right now, Trey Songz may be the premiere name in mainstream male R&B. That may be a good or bad thing depending who’s asked.
———————-

if infact that were a true statement it would be a terrible thing. he may be the go to r and b aggin of the moment but he has yet to cut a good album…hes a little more visable then his counterparts due to the hip hop cross over but to say hes the premiere name in hip hop is a bit of a stretch and a mornin yawnin…

By: MJB

05.15.2010 @ 12:59 AM

@ Petey: Who is the premiere name in mainstraim male R&B? I think the statement was parsed quite well.

By: ApolloKids

05.15.2010 @ 7:06 AM

@ MJB: Right now? Usher…..unfortunately.

By: Sir Run Run Paw

05.15.2010 @ 7:11 AM

Eh? I thought the premier name in R&B was DRAKE? Am I missing something blatent here?

By: J. Tinsley

05.15.2010 @ 7:35 AM

Since about this time last year, Trey has had the best run in R&B.

-Ne-Yo has taken a step back (publicly, not talent wise).
-Chris Brown is struggling to get radio spins.
-R. Kelly isn’t the R. Kelly of old.
-None of Usher’s songs from his last album (while a good album IMO) compared to the success of Trey’s.

By: Ragga

05.15.2010 @ 8:14 AM

Looking at chart success Ushe is still clearly king of the R&B game. He currently has the top Billboard single and a bunch of songs in the top ten of R&B radio. Trey Songz is currently tops of the non-Drake R&B pack but that is a low ceiling.

By: limitededitioninc.com

05.15.2010 @ 11:31 AM

My boy Mu was at my store the day before he got locked. Def some bullshit!! But best believe when he come home soon Trey will put them boyz back on the map, the best he can. Still got a stack of their cd’s in the shop. This song was my shit for sure! Ive been a lurker for years here, but since you gave a little love to the home team i had to show some love. You boyz on TSS know your shit, nuff respect. If you guys get a chance checkout the website and store

-www.limitededitioninc.com.

Peace and respect from G…Live from Central VA…The Burg, Richmen…

By: Word

05.15.2010 @ 11:50 AM

I like Trey but he’s a low rent R&B singer. When he starts headlining non-chitlin circuit tours, then we’ll know he’s made it. Till then, it’s still Usher…who haven’t checked for since Confessions.

By: J. Tinsley

05.15.2010 @ 12:28 PM

@limited

I’m from the 804, so yeah all that stuff you said is familiar to me. Definitely didn’t know Mu was getting out soon. Someone told me he was doing football numbers.

By: Dizzy

05.15.2010 @ 12:46 PM

Love to the 804 from the 757. When Trey popped off VA was proud. dude’s been grindin for years.

@Ragga and Word. Usher might have the lil white gals with OMG, off the strength of the Black Eyed Peas sound, but Trey has everyone in the hood with that last album. If he has no colossal fuck ups, he’s going to grow and steal everyone’s lane. This woulda been Breezy’s job if he aint fuck it up (another sad day for VA).

Ummm, who do u think buys more records folk? Them “lil white gals” that get daddy to take em to Best Buy to cop their favorite CDs, or that chick from the hood, who’d rather cop somethin from Rainbow for the club that night, and will wait for the bootleg man to bring it to her? As of last week, B.E.P.’s “sound” has em at about 2,499,000 records sold. (For an album that dropped almost a year ago) Trey needs to stick to doin shows, cuz thats the only way the hood shows love. Cuz there damn sure aint no best buys in my hood

By: petey

05.15.2010 @ 2:54 PM

All trey is is the hip hop r and b flavor of the month…like akon in 06 then t pain in 08…trey songs aint got the chops or the innovation to impact r and b in a lasting way…he is just doing his best kells impersonation…say ahh is a turrible excuse for r and b music. Trey songs I’d what’s wrong w r and b…too much thug posturing not enough emotionally driven content.

By: That VA Guy

05.15.2010 @ 2:58 PM

Usher is only King because nobody else has stepped up but Usher has been in a steady decline since confessions. As said before Trey has the image but not that classic album to get him over the top. Usher is Kobe, Trey is Bron, one is the guy people expect to take over and the other is the wly vet who’s not quite ready to give up his spot. Being from the 757 its always good to see all the talent from here blow up but even better that he’s stayed out of trouble (shout out to L. Taylor) From Chris Brown to Plax to the Vick brothers I just hope he can keep his nose clean his time will come.

By: petey

05.15.2010 @ 5:26 PM

Mtv will have a new aggin next year…he’s been in the game for a min. Still can’t put out a good album all ppl know him for is his hooks…that derulo cat is better then tray and I don’t like him neither.

By: MZ

05.15.2010 @ 6:37 PM

Chris Brown was bout to be done before his RiRi incident. I’ll still but Usher up top, but Trey has the momentum to catch him. Trey may not have the Confessions #’s but he’s got the hood love.

By: Word

05.15.2010 @ 6:48 PM

Whoa! Trey’s more than “Say Ahh.” The chicks love it so that’s what gets released. He has R&B in him but again, the chicks love the club joints. *goes to play Anticipation*

By: J. Tinsley

05.15.2010 @ 7:37 PM

All trey is is the hip hop r and b flavor of the month…like akon in 06 then t pain in 08…trey songs aint got the chops or the innovation to impact r and b in a lasting way…he is just doing his best kells impersonation…say ahh is a turrible excuse for r and b music. Trey songs I’d what’s wrong w r and b…too much thug posturing not enough emotionally driven content.

===================================

No innovation? It wasn’t the normal road for a R&B artist, but his independent stuff (mixtapes, covers, etc.) have been the reason he’s been able to keep his name relevant. That’s what dude is known for. The last two albums went gold, which is an accomplishment in this age.

If “Say Ahh” is what you think of dude, you need to listen to more of his stuff. I’m not saying he’s the next coming of Smokey Robinson, but still. And “Say Ahh” did exactly what it was supposed to do, have every female singing right along. You must have never been in the right environment to hear it.

And like Word said, listen to “Anticipation.”

By: petey

05.15.2010 @ 10:11 PM

my homeboy and i had the same convo about say ahh he says unless your in the club you wont appreciate it but im hearing this shit with a dj’s ears and it sounds like pop bottles part two minus ron brows to me, my gripe isnt so much with trey its the type of r and b hes doing. the whole state of urban music is fucked…rappers be actin more and more like r and b singers and the r and b cats are using hip hop lines as theyre hooks now…those two types of musics need something to distinguish them…its a bad look for urban music for them to be consolidated as such…imho of course.

good convo here.

By: J. Tinsley

05.16.2010 @ 12:58 AM

@petey

Oh, I feel you, you’ve got a point there. It’s one of those debates where you’re either on one side or the other. There really is no in between lol.

I’m not saying Trey is the savior of R&B because he has a lot to do if he wants to be known as THE name of of the genre, but at this point, he is that guy. Like I said, for better or worse. I’ve been a fan of dude for years now, so I’m happy to see him get some type of recognition.

By: 2cents

05.16.2010 @ 6:26 AM

@word For what it’s worth I wouldn’t classify
touring w/ Jay as doing rounds on the chittlin
circuit.
He still has a loot of work to do, evident from
his mediocre Unplugged tapping.
Usher is on the decline. Watching him on Oprah
the other day was almost painful. Every thing Ursh
puts out is compared to his Confessions success.
Which puts him at a disadvantage out the gate.

By: Word

05.16.2010 @ 10:27 AM

I said HEADUH LININGUH! Not 30 minute openings. HEADLINING!

By: “We From Petersburg, Virginia…” | THE KONCLUSION

09.12.2010 @ 10:09 AM

[…] what it’s worth right now, Trey Songz may be the premiere name in mainstream male R&B. That may be a good or bad thing depending who’s asked. One thing is for certain, though: his […]